Webliography

1. Name of the resource - Common Core Resources
URL address - https://www.engageny.org/
Summary:
For any teacher trying to implement the Common Core Curriculum this site will give you all the resources you could ask for. It has everything from Curriculum implementation, teachers manuals, students workbooks, remediation guides and more.
Commentary:
Having spent the last year implementing the Common Core Curriculum I can say that this resource is a must! The advantages to using engageny are numerous and include the knowledge that the curriculum you are administering comes directly from the source.

2. Name of the resource - Teacher Resources, Children's Books, & Student Activities
URL address - http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/
Summary:
For any teacher providing reading and writing instruction to k-6 students this is a must use site! It provides the teacher with everything from the books to use in the classroom to the lessons to use with those books. Categories include: Resources and Tools, Strategies and Ideas, Student Activities, Books and Authors, and Products and Services.
Commentary:
I absolutely love this site. I use it on a weekly basis. I use it to look up reading levels of texts, to order books for children, and to find engaging lessons to supplement my teaching. I highly recommend using this site! 

3. Name of the resource - Teachers Pay Teachers

URL address - http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
Summary:
An open market place where teachers buy, sell, and share original teaching resources. This site provides teachers with resources that are created and used by other teachers, so you know they're probably pretty good. Some resources are free, while others have varied costs depending on the price the teacher puts on the resources. Materials and resources are broken down into subjects and grade level so it is easy to find what you are looking for.

Commentary:
I have found many useful resources on this site for free, but of course the best stuff is going to cost you. I like that the resources are categorized not only by grade level and subject, but also by price. As a teacher I can look at just free resources, or only items that cost less than $5.00. This way I don't waste my time looking through resources that cost more than I want to spend.

4. Name of the resource - National Education Association

URL address - http://www.nea.org/
Summary:
NEA provides teachers with information about issues pertaining to education. Categories include: Common Core Standards, School Safety, NCLB, Education Funding, Lesson Plans, Classroom Management, and more.  

Commentary:

I highly recommend teachers become members of professional associations so that they can stay current on the issues affecting the field of education. NEA was one of the first associations I became a member of when I began teaching. I visit this site regularly to keep up to date with what is going on in the field of education.

5. Name of the resource - Student Interactive Resources

URL address - http://www.readwritethink.net/classroom-resources/student-interactives/
Summary:
ReadWriteThink is sponsored by the International Reading Association. It gives educators access to resources for the classroom. There are lesson plans, student inter-actives, calendar activities, printouts, strategy guides, a professional library, videos, and information about upcoming teacher events.

Commentary:
I must admit that I don't use this resource on a regular basis. But that does not mean it is not an extremely valuable website. When I do use ReadWriteThink, I particularly like using their search feature to locate resources. I'll use this site when I know the Topic, or what I want to teach, but I'm not certain about what resources I want to use.   

6. Name of the resource - NY State Education Department

URL address - http://www.nysed.gov/
Summary: 
This is the official site of the NY State Education Department. It provides links and access to information for teachers, including certification requirements, APPR information, and much much more.

Commentary:
If you're going to be a teacher in NY State then this is a site that you should add to your bookmarks bar and visit regularly. Like the National Educational Association(NEA), NYSED.gov was one of the first associations I became a member of when I began teaching. I also visit this site regularly to keep up to date with what is going on in education, specifically regarding topics related to NY State. 

7. Name of the resource - The Emergent Reader Research Solution

URL address - http://www.pebblego.com/choose/choose_product.html
Summary:
Have you ever tried to have young readers do research projects. If so you should use Pebblego.com. This website provides students with a wide range of categories to do research on. The categories are split into animals, earth and space, biographies and social studies. The information is presented in easy to understand language with visuals to engage the reader. In addition the site will allow the reader to click on an icon that will read and highlight the text as it is read aloud for the student.

Commentary: 
Pebblego is one of my favorite sites to use with students when it comes to completing research. The site will work for students from 1st grade up to 4th grade or above, depending on the reader's needs and ability level. I like to use the animal category with my 2nd grade class. The children love the visuals and videos, and I love that they can have the information read to them. This way it allows the students to engage in content specific vocabulary that might be challenging to read independently.

8. Name of the resource - SAG Foundation presents Stories Online

URL address - http://www.storylineonline.net/
Summary:
This site is sponsored by the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and it is a highly engaging way for students to listen to some of their favorite picture books. Eacg book is read by a famous actor. Actors include Betty White, Hailey Duff, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Amanda Bynes, Melissa Gilbert, Al Gore, and James Earl Jones.

Commentary: 
Student's genuinely love visiting this site. It is highly engaging, and when you pair it with comprehension activities it is highly useflul to assess a students ability to comprehend a story read aloud. It gives a child a sense of ownership by letting them select which story they will listen to, and it allows for them to engage in listening to reading independently. 

9. Name of the resource - Non Fiction Literacy and Current Events

URL address - https://newsela.com/
Summary: 
This site gives children access to current events around the world. Categories include War & Peace, Science, Kids, Money, Law, Health, and Arts. The children can engage in writing assignments based on the events they read about.  

Commentary:
As a 2nd grade teacher this is not a resource I've yet to use. However if I were working with older students this would be truly an asset to my ELA instruction. I'm of the belief that it is part of our job as teachers to introduce our students to the giant world around them. This site is one small way to do that! The cool part about newsela is that the articles can be picked according to lexile levels. It gives the same article just with easier or harder words based on the lexile level.

10. Name of the resource - Dr. Seuss

URL address - http://www.seussville.com/

Summary:
This is the official website of Dr. Seuss. Seussville allows a child to engage in everything Dr. Seuss. The site brings the child into his world and allows them to explore a variety of activities. The site provides a section for educators and parents. Theres are books, videos, games, and activities for children.

Commentary:
Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss? What a fun site to allow children to explore. While I haven't used this site for any "official Learning" I have shown it to my students and allowed them to use it during break, or recess time.